IUST to host International experts and speakers during one week ‘Research Methodology’ Workshop.

Awantipora, December 14: In an effort to enrich the research scholars from various disciplines, One-week Online International Workshop on ‘Research Methodology in Arts and Literatures: Theory and Application’ organized by the Department of English Language and Literature (IUST) commenced here Tuesday. More than 100 participants from different universities and colleges of India and abroad have registered for the workshop, during which in-depth sessions about advances in research within the discipline of Arts and Literature will be conducted by distinguished resource persons from reputed institutions of the world including Uppsala University, Sweden, Aligarh Muslim University, JNU, JMI, AMU, University of Liberal Arts, Bangladesh, BHU, DU, University of Nigeria etc.

During the inaugural session, Vice Chancellor Prof. Shakil A. Romshoo, who was the Chief Guest at the event congratulated the department for organizing this resourceful workshop and said, “This will prove a significant opportunity for equipping scholars in writing quality research papers and to conceptualise newer research outcomes that will help them create possibilities for interdisciplinary approaches’.

Prof. Romshoo acknowledged the need to boost the researchers of the university by illuminating them about various funding agencies across the globe. To acquaint the scholars about the process of manuscript submission and publishing, Prof. Romshoo shared his insightful experiences regarding publishing quality research articles.

Professor of Gender Research from Uppsala University, Sweden, Prof. Gabriele Griffin who was the Keynote Speaker addressed the participants and deliberated upon “Research methods for English Studies: A complex Matter”. Griffin in her disquisition focussed upon the archival method, oral history and digital research and enlightened the participants about some basic techniques to ‘develop theory and genre’ for the research.

“In order to be research intensive, researchers need to find something relevant and use journal metrics as they are increasingly being used in the world,” Griffin said.

She also acclaimed IUST administration for these initiatives which will help both budding scholars and faculty members in future.

Dean Academic Affairs and School of Engineering and Technology, Prof. A. H Moon who was the Guest of Honour on the occasion, highlighted the intensity and desire of IUST towards focusing on research and inquiry. He noted the significance of this workshop because there was a difference in research approaches and techniques between arts and literatures and in other areas like engineering where we use logic and application.

Prof. Moon highlighted the importance of ‘emotions and creativity’ in case of Arts and Literature as well as a ‘socio-economic’ aspect and said, “We always use philosophical, political, social and economic approach in Arts and literature that creates a uniquely relevant place for such researches in the world.”

Registrar Prof. Naseer Iqbal also addressed the gathering, while wishing good luck to the department, Prof. Naseer highlighted the modern education scenario and said that these exchanges focus on preparing students for upcoming challenges in the areas of research and train them to find solutions.

Dean Research Prof. H. R Naik, emphasised on a rich ‘acquaintance with methodology’ in research and said, “A proper knowledge of methodology is important and that makes this workshop of critical importance as reputed global experts would be sharing insights about different dimensions of proper methods used in research.”

“Research in Arts and literature has to deal with human Culture which include clothing, food, history etc so it’s important to understand the methodology used in literature and arts,” Naik said.

Earlier the Workshop Director and HoD, English Language and Literature, Dr. Munejah Khan, delivered the welcome address and deliberated upon various themes to be covered during the workshop by renowned experts from around the world. Dr. Khan, who is also the Associate Dean School of Humanities and Social Sciences called upon participants to make the most of this workshop for undertaking quality research particularly in the field of English Literature.

The first session of the 5-Day workshop was conducted by Professor, Department of English, University of Hyderabad, Prof. Pramod K Nayar on ‘The Historical Methods and Methodologies of/in Literary Research.

Proceedings of the inaugural session were conducted by Assistant Professor, Department of English Language and Literature, Ms. Isma Hamid and Dr. Manzoor Ahmad Najar, Assistant Professor Department of English proposed the vote of thanks.